ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM recalls India's glorious maritime history on National Maritime Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has recalled India's glorious maritime history on National Maritime Day. Stating importance of maritime sector towards India's economic growth, he said that in the last 8 years Government of India has focussed on port-led development which is essential for economic growth and building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He also emphasized that Government of India is taking an adequate care to ensure the marine eco-system and diversity.
In a thread of tweets, the Prime Minister said;
"Today, on National Maritime Day we recall our glorious maritime history and highlight the importance of the maritime sector towards India’s economic growth. In the last 8 years our maritime sector has scaled new heights and contributed to boosting trade and commercial activities."
"In the last 8 years the Government of India has focussed on port-led development which includes expanding port capacities and making the existing systems even more efficient. Waterways are being harnessed to ensure Indian products get access to new markets."
"While we are leveraging the maritime sector for economic progress and building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, we are also taking adequate care to ensure the marine eco-system and diversity which India is proud of is safeguarded."
Ministry of Finance
Appointment of Dr V Anantha Nageswaran as the Chief Economic Advisor
The Government has appointed Dr V. Anantha Nageswaran as the Chief Economic Advisor and today, he has assumed charge.
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Nageswaran has worked as a writer, author, teacher and consultant. He has taught at several business schools and institutes of management in India and in Singapore and has published extensively.
He was the Dean of the IFMR Graduate School of Business and a distinguished Visiting Professor of Economics at Krea University. He has also been a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India from 2019 to 2021. He holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and a doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to chair Virtual Global Investor Roundtable on 5th November
Top Pension and Sovereign Wealth Funds from across the world to participate in the Roundtable
Event will provide an opportunity to deliberate on further accelerating the growth of international investments in India
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will chair the Virtual Global Investor Roundtable  on 5th November, 2020. The VGIR is being organized by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. It is an exclusive dialogue between leading global institutional investors, Indian business leaders and the highest decision makers from the Government of India and Financial Market Regulators. Union Finance Minister, Union Minister of State for Finance, RBI Governor and other dignitaries will also be present on the occasion.
The Roundtable will witness participation from twenty of the world’s largest pension and sovereign wealth funds with a total Assets Under Management of about US$6 trillion. These global institutional investors represent key regions including the US, Europe, Canada, Korea, Japan, Middle East, Australia, and Singapore. Event will witness participation of key decision makers of these funds, i.e., the CEOs and CIOs. Some of these investors would also be engaging for the first time with the Government of India. Apart from global investors, the Roundtable will also see participation of several top Indian Business Leaders.
VGIR 2020 will focus on discussions around India’s economic and investment outlook, structural reforms and the government’s vision for the path to a USD 5 trillion economy. The event will provide an opportunity to leading global investors and Indian business leaders to engage and deliberate with senior policymakers on how to further accelerate the growth of international investments in India. Foreign investments in India this fiscal is the highest ever for the first five months of a financial year. VGIR 2020 will also provide an occasion for all stakeholders to further cement the strong partnerships that have been built and to foster engagement with international institutional investors who are looking to increase their Indian investments.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Healthcare Facilities for Weaker Sections
Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements Medical Aid Scheme with the objective to extend aid in the form of grants to the patients belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes suffering from serious ailments requiring surgery of Kidney, Heart, Liver, Cancer and Brain or any other life threatening diseases including organ transplant and spinal surgery, whose annual family income is not more than Rs.3.0 lakh. The scheme is implemented through designated Hospitals in the country. The information about the scheme under the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation is disseminated through its website and Dr. Ambedkar Chairs established in different Universities in the country.
Public Health and Hospitals being a state subject, the primary responsibility of providing better healthcare facilities to all including weaker sections is that of respective State Government. Under National Health Mission  with its two sub Missions, National Rural Health Mission  and National Urban Health Mission  technical and financial support is provided to States/ UTs for provision of affordable, accessible and quality healthcare to all including weaker sections. Under NHM support is also provided for host of free services relating to maternal & child health, immunization, communicable disease control programmes, prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, strengthening health systems such as physical infrastructure, augmenting health human resource on contractual basis, free ambulances services, Free essential Drugs & Diagnostic, free dialysis services to the poor etc.
This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Vijay Sampla in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
EPFO adds 11.22 lakh net subscribers in the month of March, 2021
Total 77.08 lakh net subscribers added under EPFO during FY 2020-21
The provisional payroll data of EPFO has been published on 20th May, 2021 highlights that EPFO has added around 11.22 lakh net subscribers in the month of March, 2021. Despite Covid-19 pandemic, cumulative net payroll addition for FY 2021 is almost at par with last year, with 77.08 lakh net additions to subscribers base.
Quarterly analysis of payroll for the FY 2020-21 indicates that net subscribers addition improved consistently from 2nd quarter after taking hit in the 1st quarter due to crisis of Covid19 pandemic. Maximum improvement of 33.64 lakh net subscribers was observed during the 4th quarter  with a growth of 37.44% as compared to the third quarter .
Of the 11.22 lakh net subscribers added during the month of March 2021, around 7.16 lakh new members have come into the social security ambit of EPFO for the first time. Around 4.06 lakh net subscribers exited and then rejoined EPFO by switching their jobs within the establishments covered by EPFO and choosing to retain membership through transfer of funds rather than opting for final settlement.
The data of exited members is based on the claims submitted by the individuals/establishments and the exit data uploaded by employers, whereas number of new subscribers is based on the Universal Account Number  generated in the system and has received non-zero subscription.
Age wise data of payroll shows that the age-group of 22-25 has registered highest number of net enrollments with around 3.14 lakh net subscribers addition in the month of March, 2021. This is followed by age-group of 18-21 with around 2.29 lakh net enrollments. The members of 18-25 age-groups have contributed around 48.44 % of the net subscriber additions in March 2021. Members of these age-groups are considered as fresh hands in the market and signifies a crucial stage for an individual’s potential in terms of earning capacity.
Gender-wise analysis of FY 21 reflects an upward swing in ratio of net female subscribers addition to the total net additions, from the month of October, 2020 till end of the FY 2021. In the month of March, 2021, around 2.42 lakh net female subscribers have been added, which is 21.56% of total net addition during the month.
Among the main industries, Iron ore mines, Courier services, Restaurants, Road Motor Transport, Petroleum & Natural gas refining , Iron and steel and establishments engaged in manufacture, marketing and usage of computers have seen positive growth in terms of net member addition in the month of March, 2021 as compared to net subscribers additions in February, 2021.
The payroll data is provisional since the data generation is a continuous exercise as updation of employee record is a continuous process. The previous data hence gets updated every month. Since April, 2018 EPFO has been releasing payroll data covering the period September 2017 onwards. The data published comprises of members who have joined during the month and whose contribution has been received.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
J&K to Become an International Sports Destination, Says Kiren Rijiju
Calls Upon Youth to Take Sports as a Career
Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Kiren Rijiju said that the youth of J&K are full of capabilities but require opportunities to prove themselves. He stated this while addressing the Central Government’s special public outreach programme to disseminate information about the implementation of its policies and programmes for the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir and its people today at Suchetgarh, Jammu.
Emphasising that Article 370 was the real impediment towards the development of the erstwhile state, the Minister said that the youth of J&K have been deprived of sports opportunities in the past or otherwise the Union Territory of J&K would have been a great destination for sports.The minister said that participation in every sport would have been more from J&K if the sports infrastructure had been improved in the past. He said, “the day has come when all the pending approvals related to sports or infrastructure will be cleared by the central government and a new sunrise in the development will be shown to the UT of J&K”.
Shri Rijijuinformed that the government has decided to organize winter games at Gulmarg and Srinagar in February, and will also explore opportunities for water sports in the UT. He also said that the youth should take sports as a career so that India would be at the top of all the sports competitions in the world, be it Olympic Games or other competitions.
Referring to the special task force for Olympics constituted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Minister said that the target has been set for Tokyo Olympics and Paris Olympics.He said, “We cannot be satisfied now with just 2 or 3 medals when this country has 65 percent youth population. The need of the hour is to bring in new changes in the sports, its infrastructure and training.” He also emphasised on the identification of the talent so that world champions could be made in India.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, the Minster said that India lives in villages and by this special public outreach programme, the whole cabinet has come to the doorsteps of common masses inside villages and blocks to meet people directly, listen to their grievances andreceive their feedback so as to implement the centrally sponsored schemes efficiently. Shri Rijijureiterated that a new dawn of development would be set in the UT of J&K. He said people now should compare the pace of development before and after the abrogation of Article 370.
Earlier the Minister inaugurated a CFC building at Chakroi and a Sub Centre at Chak-Mullo being constructed under Border Area Development Cluster Programme. The Minister distributed sports kits to various youth clubs and also inaugurated a Kabaddi and a Volley ball tournament at sports stadium Chakroi.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
120.27 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
Recovery Rate currently at 98.33%; Highest since March 2020
9,868recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 3,39,77,830
10,549new cases in the last 24 hours
India's Active caseload stands at 1,10,133
Active cases account for less than 1% of total cases, currently at0.32%; Lowest since March 2020
Daily positivity rate  less than 2% for last 53 days
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 1% for last 12days
63.71 cr Total Tests conducted so far
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India tests a total of 1.82 crore samples
Tests Per Million  jump to 13,181
21 States/UTs report Positivity Rate less than 10
The combined and focused efforts of Union and State/UT Governments have resulted in ramped up testing across the country to ensure early detection and isolation of COVID-19 positive cases. ICMR’s evolving testing strategy has widened the testing network across India.
4,46,642 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. The average daily tests  have increased from 2.4 lakh in the first week of July to more than 4.68 lakh in the last week of July.
The testing lab network in the country is continuously strengthened with 1321 labs in the country, as on date; 907 labs in the government sector and 414 private labs. These include:
• Real-Time RT PCR based testing labs: 676 
• TrueNat based testing labs: 541 
• CBNAAT based testing labs: 104 
The enhanced testing infrastructure has led to a sharp increase in the cumulative testing from 88 lakh total tests  to nearly 1.82 crore .
The Tests Per Million  has subsequently increased to 13,181.
As per the “Test, Track and Treat” strategy of the Union Government, the ramped up testing in the country has resulted in reduction in Positivity Rate across the country. Currently 21 States/UTs are reporting Positivity Rate of less than 10%.
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .
Ministry of Defence
Successful Test Firing of Brahmos to Validate Service Life Extension
BrahMos, the supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired at 1017 hrs today, from the Integrated Test Range  at Balasore, Odisha. The test-firing conducted from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher was part of service life extension programme for Indian Army under extreme weather condition.
The precision strike missile followed the designated trajectory and the key components functioned perfectly. BrahMos has proved again all-weather capability flying in sea-state 7 with waves as high as 9 meters. DRDO's range capability to operate in the most severe weather condition has also been validated at ITR Balasore. Senior Army officials and scientists from DRDO and BrahMos witnessed the trial.
BrahMos is a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPOM of Russia. BrahMos missile has established itself as a major force multiplier in modern-day complex battlefields with its impeccable land-attack, anti-ship capabilities with multi-role and multi-platform abilities.
RakshaMantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has congratulated team DRDO, BrahMos and Indian Army for the successful test firing.
SRR/NAo/Nampi/Rajib
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Competition Commission of India
CCI approves amalgamation of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited  and Bangla Entertainment Private Limited  with Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited , with certain modifications
The Competition Commission of India  approves amalgamation of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited  and Bangla Entertainment Private Limited  with Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited , with certain modifications.
The proposed combination relates to  amalgamation of each of ZEE and BEPL with and into CME; and  preferential allotment of certain shares by CME to Sunbright International Holdings Limited , and Sunbright Mauritius Investments Limited. The proposed combination is in the nature of an acquisition and amalgamation falls under Section 5 and 5 of the Competition Act, 2002.
CME is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation . CME is part of the SGC group . CME has several general entertainment channels , film, sports and kids’ entertainment channels in India. SonyLIV is CME’s digital entertainment video service which provides OTT services in India and international markets. CME reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries.
BEPL is also an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SGC and a part of the SGC Group. BEPL is broadly engaged in:  the acquisition of rights for motion pictures, events and other TV content; and  generating advertising revenue from the telecast of TV content.
ZEE is a media and entertainment company, with presence across the segments of broadcasting, digital content, movies, music and live entertainment, spread over 190 countries. ZEE5 is ZEE’s digital entertainment video service which provides OTT services in India and international markets. ZEE is a listed company on the stock exchanges of BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited.
The Commission approved the proposed combination subject to the carrying out of modifications proposed by the parties, under Regulation 25 of the Competition Commission of India  Regulations, 2011.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers celebrates International Yoga Day 2019
When you own your breath, no one can steal your peace: Shri Mansukh Mandaviya
Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, the PSUs and other institutions under it celebrated the International Yoga Day 2019 today. In all the PSUs, special events, competitions, mass yoga assemblies were conducted under the guidance of experts and teachers, with active participation of employees and their family members.
Employees took pledge to make yoga a part of life, yogabhyas and dhyan was carried out, along with talks about how yoga balances body and mind, enhances productivity and establishes harmony in creation. In addition, article writing, poster making, online quiz, slogan and essay writing competitions were organized on the beneficial effects of Yoga.
Union Minister of State for Shipping  and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya led hundreds of enthusiastic citizens and yoga practitioners in celebrating the International Yoga Day 2019. The Minister practised yoga asanas in the Nehru Park, here today and said that, “When you own your breath, no one can steal your peace”.
Prime Minister's Office
PM shocked by the attack on Japan Ex PM, Abe Shinzo
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep distress on the attack on Japan Ex PM, Abe Shinzo.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan."
Ministry of Defence
RM Reviews operational preparedness of A&N command
Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman visited Andaman and Nicobar Command  on 13 & 14 January 2019. On arrival at INS Utkrosh, Port Blair on 13 January 2019, she was received by Commander in Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command  Vice Admiral Bimal Verma at HQ ANC, the Raksha Mantri was given a comprehensive briefing and update on thrust areas and achievements of the Command. On 14 January 2019, the Raksha Mantri visited Campbell Bay and reviewed the operational readiness of the Command.
Raksha Mantri witnessed all four components working jointly in unison during an amphibious demonstration. The exercise, conducted near Campbell Bay included 10 ships, 6 aircrafts and 700 troops of the Command. The Marine Commando  unit of Indian Navy and specialist platoon  of Indian Army displayed their operational capabilities by carrying out helocasting, and beach assault. While returning from Campbell Bay the minister visited the southernmost part of India, Indira Point.
After arrival at Port Blair, Smt Sitharaman was given a demonstration on jungle survival skills at Military Station, Birchgunj. Later, she inaugurated the phase II of Married Accommodation Project  that includes 868 dwelling units for the troops of Andaman Nicobar Command.
During her earlier visit in October 2017, the RM had celebrated Diwali with the troops and on this occasion she wished the troops a very happy Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal as she interacted with troops at Port Blair.
Nampi/DK/Rajib
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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
A Chinese delegation of 94 youths were on a visit in Kolkata
Kolkata, 3 December, 2018
As a part of international youth exchange programme, a group of 94 Chinese youths were on a visit to Kolkata till today. The group of 24 women and 70 men who reached the city on Friday  were taken for a city tour arranged by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan  during the period of their stay here.
The Chinese youth team visited IIEST, Shibpur on December 1
, where the engineering students and foreign youths participated in a panel discussion on Entrepreneurship. Shri Sadhan Pandey, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Self Help Group and Self-employment, Government of West Bengal remained present on the occasion and inaugurated a friendly football match between Indian and Chinese youths. Besides this, a short documentary film on IIEST was screened for the Chinese youths. The Director of NYKS, Department of Youth Affairs in the Central Government, Shri Nabin Kumar Naik was also present on the occasion.
As a part of this programme organised by Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Chinese youths were also taken around Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral house at Jorasanko and the historic Victoria Memorial. The youngsters were also taken for a visit to Science City in course of their city tour.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Sanctioned for prosecution given to 366 cases in violation of CSR norms
Whenever any violation of Corporate Social Responsibility  provisions is reported, action against such non-compliant Companies are initiated as per provisions of Companies Act, 2013 after due examination of records. So far, sanction for prosecution has been accorded in 366 cases. All CSR related offences are compoundable. So far 118 applications for compounding have been made and 37 cases have been compounded.
This was stated by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
The Union Minister further stated that Corporate Social Responsibility  is a Board driven process and the Board of the company is empowered to decide the activities to be undertaken as per Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 taking into consideration the recommendation of its CSR committee. The entire CSR architecture is disclosure based and CSR mandated companies are required to file details of CSR amount spent annually in MCA21 registry.